"I can save you two miles. I am Mr. Jasper Benham."
Gaston eyed him critically.
"All right, monsieur, you need not doubt me being myself. I was expecting to hear from your master."
Gaston handed the letter over.
"It is urgent, monsieur."
"No doubt."
"Good day to you, monsieur."
"Good day to you."
And they parted company, Jasper riding on toward Rush Heath.
Curiosity pinched him, and he stopped his horse under the shade of one of the big chestnut-trees by Lavender's Forge, and opened De Rothan's letter. It was written in a fine hand upon fine paper, and the heads and tails of the letters ran into curls and flourishes, making it quite a courtly document where each word kept up a kind of royal progress.